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seems correct mikeg as when got in touch with london offices to ask about my shell service was told to get in touch with new offices in isle of man as all shipping was transfer over to isle of man ps did you bring out the lanistes or litiopa from chiba shipyards as i was saloon steward on lanistes and second steward on litiopa to good sayonara partys buy builders.

seems correct mikeg as when got in touch with london offices to ask about my shell service was told to get in touch with new offices in isle of man as all shipping was transfer over to isle of man ps did you bring out the lanistes or litiopa from chiba shipyards as i was saloon steward on lanistes and second steward on litiopa to good sayonara partys buy builders.

Hi again, yes I remember you now on the Litiopa.
I've since looked through the paperwork and confirmed that date as correct. Yes took the Litiopa out from Chiba, the yard looked after us very well all through but especially at the christening & sayonara parties.. couldn't find one for Saki I've got some pics in the gallery of Litiopa.

Thanks for all those replies. Was looking at pensions and that sort of stuff but couldn't find a date for the flag out and end of my STUK employment.

I remember how at the time there were other companies flagging out but Shell were denying any intention of doing this; in fact we had a new old man join who had just been at a Shell centre "love in" with the top brass and he was told categorically Shell will not flag out.

Then Lo and behold, a super long telex arrived in the middle of the night (a nosey 2/0 happen to see it while carrying out rounds????, through radio room at 0400) announcing the flag out.

I've asked Kris as moderator to ask if 'Shell' can be included as a sub-forum of 'Shipping Lines' rather than us ex Shell folk needing to use the 'Other companies/ships' sub-forum.
All those in agreement yell Yea

Last edited by mikeg : 25th September 2008 at 17:46.
Reason: missed word

My thanks to Andy and Chris for giving us Shell lot a proper home at last.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadburn

Was Shell the Company that phoned it's Skippers and Chief's and told them not to come back after their leave period was over?

Didn't hear that. The whole flagging out, redundancy etc thing was very contrived.
I got an official letter informing me of the flagging out and that my STUK contract would be ended and inviting me to Shell Centre to discuss my redundancy terms which was supposed to be calculated from a time served/salary formula.
I think I ended up signing the acceptance of my redundancy terms and signing up with new SMPS on the same day. The loss of the Shell pension and related benefits was the biggest sickener; never mind should get the deferred pension soon..whoooopeee.

...Then Lo and behold, a super long telex arrived in the middle of the night (a nosey 2/0 happen to see it while carrying out rounds????, through radio room at 0400) announcing the flag out.

Attached are extracts from that telex, ( Dated April 1986 ) it is a bit long so I've cut out a lot, but it makes good reading now under the present climate. I may be in breach of confidentiality rules, but we're pretty close to the thirty year rule - and anyway I plead insanity ! ( or should that be insanitary ? ! - Nurse ? ! )

I remember this (the switch to IoM), well, I attended a tanker(VLCC) at MOT Maasvlakte in the late '80s, I took my 12y-o son with me, I think it was a weekend. Anyway, we were in the Engine control room which was fairly well populated, I was chatting to the Super, about something or other when my son said, "Hey Dad, this boat was built by the same gang that built the, "Titanic"!" "Yes George, we all know that", I said. "You know Mr. Rendel the Managing Director Bill,?" The Super said. "That's a smart lad you have there Bill", Mr. Rendel said! I nearly fell through the floor! The Super and I had more than a few on that one, in the years after.

If I remember correctly the first Boss of SMPS (IoM) was John McAallion ex GOD at STM 13.

At least you were invited to Shell Centre to "discuss your future"!
We were "visited" by the Eng. Cadet Training Officer @ College and told we were finished as soon as Phase III was completed - 3 weeks before the Phase III final exams !!

Shell indeed changed flag in 87. However, all their contract employees were given a severence package of 1 years salary plus a months salary for every year served, very generous indeed! In addtion offered a new job under IOM flag the only difference was they paid their own tax. NI and all other cintributions were taken out of salary, that wasn't a bad deal either.
At that time, Shell also agreed to still use the shipping federation when they needed additional labour. I know becaue i was a non-contract employee at the time. A few years later they began to exchange british ratings with foreign ones o the better ships and steadily did the same with Officers thereafter, except Captain and Chief.

1987, I remember it well. Got an invite to go to Shell centre and was interviewed by a Mr Philpott. I was basically promised a job as 3/E next trip and then he showed me the new proposed contract. I told him to roll it into a thin tube, lightly oil it and shove it up his a..e.

At least you were invited to Shell Centre to "discuss your future"!
We were "visited" by the Eng. Cadet Training Officer @ College and told we were finished as soon as Phase III was completed - 3 weeks before the Phase III final exams !!

To lay-off an Apprentice or Cadet before their training is completed is a massive betrayal of a sacred trust. Alan Knight

I've asked Kris as moderator to ask if 'Shell' can be included as a sub-forum of 'Shipping Lines' rather than us ex Shell folk needing to use the 'Other companies/ships' sub-forum.
All those in agreement yell Yea